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Scrappy Sock Yarn Crochet Blanket

So hello, I hope you're doing ok?

A little while ago I posted about things on my needles, do you remember? Well, I haven't since given either of those projects any attention because I have been totally drawn in with a new blanket project. So addictive is this thing that it's hard not to keep adding squares, and playing with small amounts of yarn to see whether the colour will work next to it's prospective neighbour.

I have seen a lot of knitted mitred square blankets, made with left over sock yarn and have for a while been a little bit tempted to knit one. But then I thought it would be nice to crochet one and the obvious choice would be granny squares of course. I pondered this for a while, not really wanting to jump into a blanket project when I have so many other things I'd like to make. Lovely Sandra has had a similar idea and has shared it on her podcast and I really liked her design and pondered that option too. In the end though I opted for this mitred crochet square, made with dc stitch (that's sc for those who read patterns in US terminology). I gave in and just went with it, deciding that it would be my long-term project of 2016.

The yarn is oddments and mini skeins of sock yarn and fingering weight, about 4 - 5 grams in each square. I love the patchwork effect that you get with all the different colours and textures. I see this as a real heirloom piece that (once it grows a bit) will be used a lot by my family to snuggle under.

I thought I'd share with you how I'm making it, it is a simple pattern and the squares are joined to each other as you make them. There are 4 different ways to start the squares, depending on their position in the blanket and I've given instructions here on how to do that. Lots of photos to aid you with the written instructions underneath.

Gauge: not too critical for this project, but my squares measure approx 9cm x 9cmSpecial Stitch: dc3tog - insert hook into stitch and pull up loop, insert hook into next stitch and pull up another loop, insert hook into 3rd stitch and pull up another loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through the 4 loops.

Abbreviations:

ss

Slip Stitch

ch

Chain

dc

Double Crochet

dc3togdnc

Double Crochet 3 Togetherdo not count in the over all stitch count

First Square:

ch40 ,

Row 1: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook. 1dc in each of next 17 ch. dc3tog over the next 3 ch, 1dc in each of the next 18 ch. Turn

Row 2: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 17 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 17 stitches. Turn

Row 3: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 16 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 16 stitches. Turn

Row 4: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 15 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 15 stitches. Turn

Row 5: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 14 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 14 stitches. Turn

Row 6: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 13 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 13 stitches. Turn

Row 7: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 12 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 12 stitches. Turn

Row 8: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 11 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 11 stitches. Turn

Row 9: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 10 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 10 stitches. Turn

Row 10: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 9 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 9 stitches. Turn

Row 11: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 8 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 8 stitches. Turn

Row 12: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 7 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 7 stitches. Turn

Row 13: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 6 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 6 stitches. Turn

Row 14: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 5 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 5 stitches. Turn

Row 15: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 4 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 4 stitches. Turn

Row 16: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 3 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 3 stitches. Turn

Row 17: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into each of the next 2 stitches, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into each of the next 2 stitches. Turn

Row 18: ch1 (dnc) 1dc into first stitch, dc3tog over the next 3 stitches, 1dc into last stitch. Turn

Row 19: ch1 (dnc) dc3tog over 3 remaining stitches. Fasten off.

*The position of the first square is situated at the bottom left corner of your blanket.*

Joining horizontal squares:

Pull a loop of yarn through the turning chain at the bottom right corner of the square you need to join to and ch 20. 1dc in 2nd ch from hook. 1dc in each of next 17 ch, dc3tog in the last ch, the turning ch of the square you are joining to and the end of the first row of the joining square. Work 18dc along the side edge (at the end of each row) of the joining square with the last dc in the last stitch at the top right of the joining square. At the same time hold the yarn end in line with the edge of the joining square so you can crochet over the yarn end making it more secure. Turn.

Continue making the square as set in the pattern from Row 2 onwards.

Joining vertical squares:

Pull a loop of yarn through the turning ch1 at the top left corner of the square you need to join to and ch 20. Turn. 1dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 17 ch, dc3tog in the last ch, the turning ch of the square you are joining to and the end of the first row of the joining square. Work 18dc along the side edge (at the end of each row) of the joining square with the last dc in the last stitch at the bottom right of the joining square. At the same time hold the yarn end in line with the edge of the joining square so you can crochet over the yarn end making it more secure. Turn.

Continue making the square as set in the pattern from Row 2 onwards.

Joining middle squares:

Pull up a loop of yarn through the last stitch at the top right corner of the first square you need to join to and ch1, 1dc in same stitch and work a further 17dc along the top edge of the first joining square (at the end of each row), At the same time hold the yarn end in line with the edge of the joining square so you can crochet over the yarn end making it more secure. dc3tog in the last row of the first joining square, the corner of the square to the left of the joining square and at the end of the first row of the second square you need to join to. Work 18dc along the side edge (at the end of each row) of the second joining square with the last dc in the last stitch at the top right of the second joining square. Turn.

Continue making the square as set in the pattern from Row 2 onwards.

Your may find your squares come out a bit wavy with curled up edges, this will improve when the next square is joined to it, but I also recommend blocking your blanket to make it nice and flat.

Make your blanket any size you desire, and enjoy making it, using it and keeping warm in it!

I hope you find this tutorial useful and clear to follow. ***EDIT*** Hi there, I just thought I'd pop in with a quick edit. Sweet Erin from Holland Handmade podcast has a tip for getting less wonky squares: when crocheting out of the starting chain, work out of the 'purl bumps' at the back of the chain. I tend to use the 2 stitches at the top of the chain which seem ok, so have a go at both and see which one works better for you xx
'till next time...